Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/315

Rh To search for this continent, then, the best and readiest way by which at once its existence or non-existence might be proved, appears to me to be this: let the ship or ships destined for this service leave England in the spring and proceed directly to the Cape of Good Hope, where they might refresh their people and take in fresh provisions, and thence proceed round Van Diemen's Land to the coast of New Zealand, where they might again refresh in any of the numerous harbours at the mouth of Cook's Straits, where they would be sure to meet with plenty of water, wood, and fish. Here they should arrive by the month of October, so as to have the good season before them to run across to the South Sea, which by reason of the prevailing westerly winds they would easily be able to do in any latitude. If in doing this they should not fall in with a continent, they might still be of service in exploring the islands in the Pacific Ocean, where they might refresh themselves and proceed home by the East Indies. Such a voyage, as a voyage of mere curiosity, should be promoted by the Royal Society, to whom I doubt not that his Majesty upon proper application would grant a ship, as the subject of such a voyage seems at least as interesting to science in general and the increase of knowledge as the observation which gave rise to the present one. The small expense of such an equipment to Government is easily shown. I will venture roundly to affirm that the smallest station sloop in his Majesty's service is every year more expensive than such a ship, where every rope, every sail, every rope-yarn even is obliged to do its duty most thoroughly before it can be dismissed. How trifling then must this expense appear, when in return for it the nation acquires experienced seamen in those who execute it, and the praise which is never denied to countries who in this public-spirited manner promote the increase of knowledge.

At the Cape of Good Hope might be procured beef, bread, flour, peas, spirits, or indeed any kind of provision at reasonable rates. The beef must be bought alive and salted, for which purpose it would be proper to take out salt from